title: In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of synthetic pure isothiocyanates against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Isothiocyanates (ITCs) released by the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates in the Brassicaceae are potentially useful for controlling fungal pathogens. In vitro activity of pure ITCs against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary was studied by adding them to glass filters in petri dishes and dissolving them in the growing media.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methyl, allyl and benzyl ITCs were the most fungitoxic of the compounds in bioassays with S. sclerotiorum isolate Ss31. In the volatile phase, mycelial growth was completely inhibited by these three compounds. Aromatic ITCs were less toxic in the petri dishes but were more toxic than aliphatic ITCs when dissolved in the agar. Benzyl ITC exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on sclerotial germination, with an EC(50) value of 75.1 µmol L(-1) . Butyl and benzyl ITCs reduced apothecial production of S. sclerotiorum by 92.5% at the highest concentration. In in vivo assay, only allyl and 2-phenylethyl ITCs reduced disease incidence (by 76.7 and 70% respectively) at low concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the soil might be suppressed by the higher concentrations of allyl and benzyl ITCs released from decomposition of Brassica juncea, B. carinata, B. nigra and Sinapis spp.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. kurt@mku.edu.tr
authors.forename: Sener
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kurt
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Güneş
authors.forename: Emine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Soylu
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017879:Isothiocyanates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D017879:Isothiocyanates; D010936:Plant Extracts